Rumor: Microsoft looking to once again alter the Windows Phone update process

It's no secret that Windows Phone owners have endured confusing and frustrating update processes on the platform and while Microsoft has looked at improving the speed and reliability of the rollouts, we're still not quite there yet.

Rumour has it now that the company is looking at revamping the update process once again from the release of GDR2 onwards. Whether or not this is good news remains to be seen.

WPDang reports that the update process will change after GDR2 is released. The main OS update will be sent from Microsoft to OEM partners, where releases will be packed with both firmware and main software updates. Consumers will then receive notifications once manufacturers have fired up the rollout trucks. In short terms, Microsoft is providing more control to manufacturers. This could be the next big change from Redmond after the company kicked in OTA (over the air).

Microsoft used to be responsible for the entire process, bundling manufacturer firmware with its own new releases for consumers to receive, but this proved to take a while and caused issues for consumers who had to wait some time to be able to download the latest version of Windows Phone. WPDang notes that this responsibility is being passed to manufacturers. Unfortunately this leaves Windows Phone owners relying on their manufacturers to release system updates.

A perfect example of this is the upcoming Amber update for Nokia hardware, which includes GDR2 and some improvements bundled by the Finnish manufacturer. The only potential issue here is for those who have chosen Windows Phones with OEMs that aren't particularly involved with the development of the platform and who will take more time in getting updates sent out to customers. This could streamline the update process and we could see massive improvements to the speed of delivery, but there could well be potential bumps in the road.

Reader comments

Rumor: Microsoft looking to once again alter the Windows Phone update process

OMG everyone RUN AWAY FROM SAMSUNG AND HTC! lol I kid...I know they have been doing a fairly well job with WP8 sys+firmware updates (depending on the carrier..that is). I actually see this as a good thing, as it would take less time between all parties -carrier, OEM, MS.

And if that is true, this means that this is an under table push from MSFT to Nokia to increase their sales and dominate windows phone .. unless other OEMs decide to actually care about windows phone .. in both cases its a win win situation for MSFT

Trust Nokia for updates, emmm I waited 2.5 weeks for 1314 firmware on an unbranded 920 that's after carriers were releasing it. So they sat waiting for the carriers to test it (slowly), rolled it out for their handsets then gave let it trickle out for the rest of us. Is Nokia's update server sitting in a shed on a dialup modem?

Tmobile killed our phone now the only thing we are waiting for is the two updates and the big one 8.1. Nokia will release updates for their apps and whatever they have control. I have a HTC Radar and tmobile decided not to give us radar and 710 owners with 7.8 upgrade. The only thing keeping on TMobile is the family plan it's cheaper compare to others.

Until MS makes huge real changes to the updates process you are wise to only purchase a device that works the way you want it to now. It is why I'm still on my Quantum. Assuming you'll get updates at all is taking on risk.

What I'd love to see is OS updates being independent from the HW updates the way that Windows is now. It would speed up the development of the OS and hopefully see MS push updates faster independently from their Hardware and Carier "partners". I'm not sure how well this will be done with this new model.

Potentially I can see this happening, but it might mean disabling portions of the update until the requisite hardware updates are loaded. Considering this, what's the point?
Just do it all at once or not at all.

I think this means us HTC owners are stuck in the whatever version you bought ghetto forever.
HTC does not support their products. I was stuck in gingerbread and its predecessor forever on my HTC android device, convinced to try T Mobile's flagship WP8 because of ATT's exclusivity deal. Now I'm sitting on a phone full of Other, no real support rolled out from HTC (I mean, has anyone used HTC's storage app - it is hilariously useless) and I don't expect to ever receive updates based on this news.

Totally agree. Until now I didn't mind my HTC over lumias but now I am fucked. It will never get another update. Definitely not within the 18 months support period after which they can officially deny support. I am planning to sell my HTC now.

I think you're confusing "HTC" with "your crap carrier" for the lack of updates. HTC pumped out the updates for HD7 and 8X. It took an extra 6 months for AT&T users to get them each time, and everyone just blames HTC when they sent the update out months prior

I don't see any difference from the current process. As far as I know MS ships the OS updates to OEMs, who add their firmware updates, and that bundle is distributed to users via Windows Update after OEM/carrier/regional approval.
What exactly is the difference supposed to be?

I have a Nokia 920 BUILD device, and the updates have been scarce. They come directly from Nokia rather than carrier, and they come way late. I'm still stuck on .1308 and experiencing connectivity issues constantly. When I reached out to Nokia they said they have no updates scheduled and no information about if / when they will come. I realize the BUILD devices may not be a high priority but its sad. I hope this is not a sign of things to come.

Since windows phones are supposed to be built to pretty exact specs, why can't MS just release the software over the net, just like Windows? OEMs are free to release their hardware specific fixes anytime. If the complex PC world can do it, the simpler windows phone world should be even easier.

And cut out the all-controlling OEMs & Carriers in the process? (I wish!) That would be the best option and I would think boost loyalty to WP. Unfortunately, OEMs and Carriers want users to buy the next new one on the block. If you can simply update your OS without their limitations (forcing you into a newer model), they lose.

Really! It has been known since November 2012. It has to be hurting devs since owners can't add new apps thanks to the other storage swallowing their phones. YOu would think it would be a high priority fix. Belfiore promised an update months ago, and radio silence since.

Its been known for over 7 years. This started with the original Zune. I pointed it out them with over 30 phone calls, all being told they never heard of it (even though I had pointed it out 30 times!). ZUNE 30, ZUNE 80, ZUNE 120, & ZUNE HD. They either dont care or dont know how to fix it. People think it is only related to apps, but It happens when you delete large items like apps OR VIDEOS. Videos and movies is what would kill my Zunes. It never fully frees up the space the video took up.

I don't understand how people who visit this site haven't all run seven-eighter on their WP7 phones. You've been abandoned. No more support for WP7. That little program will force update all WP7 phones to the latest version. Just do it already.

If the rumors are true, the Windows Phone team is so far behind on GDR2, GDR3, and 8.1 that I don't think any enthusiast program will make a difference. At this point, it's beginning to sound like the bottleneck is Microsoft, rather than wireless carriers and OEMs.

Microsoft's phone development seems to be very cyclical. They will do a lot of work at once and then later they'll sit on their asses and do nothing for a long time. Take a look at Windows Mobile. Up to 5.0 they were developing it very quickly. 5.0 to 6.5.5 took years and barely added anything worthwhile. Then 7.0, 7.5, 8.0 came out pretty fast. Now they're just doing nothing again it seems.

Its just so frustrating to see what is happening. The picture of the ecosystem and continual updates were painted and it feels shattered. I know it's the shut up and ship approach but gee whiz this is all over the place. If what you say about the gdr updates is true it will take its toll even with the windows phone evangelists.

Being in the US this makes no difference, as the carriers still control the outcome updates/upgrades. My AT&T 820 is still on 1249, while the 920 is on 1308. This will just make my look for unbranded phones more, and pay the higher price.

I'm not sure how this improves things. It just leaves the process more firmly in the hands of HTC, Nokia and Samsung. While Nokia so far has a great track record, HTC's and Samsung's are terrible. I can also see this resulting in some fragmentation. Hopefully, Microsoft imposes guidelines to avoid Android-style problems.

So this basically means that you are a lot more likely to be stuck with what ships with the phone and never receive any update. Maybe except for Nokia hardware, which is my next WP after I still dont have WP7.8 on my ATT Samsung Focus.
Microsoft should be controling the whole process as it does with Windows machines. When you leave something to OEMs or even worse carriers then you are screwed right from the gate.

We played this same game with Windows Phone 7. HD7 was totally forgotten by HTC especially 7.8 update, which we never saw. Microsoft constantly has their head screwed on backwards when it comes to Windows Phone. Why is it we make the commitment to purchase these phones with 2 year agreement only to be stabbed in the back later by the manufacturer. If my phone is forgotten again, I will defiantly not purchase another Windows Phone.